'Can't top that': Charli Grant delivers match-winner as Matildas claim revenge over Panama in Perth

The sour feeling that followed the Matildas' first battle against Panama has been banished with an electric 3-2 victory in front of a home crowd in Perth.

It was a promising sign for new coach Joe Montemurro as his playing group looked for revenge after losing the first match and trailing 1-0 at the end of the first half.

Charli Grant was the hero that secured the result for the Matildas, nailing a match-winning goal in the first minute of stoppage time.

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Seconds after Montemurro made two changes, Grant got her body to the end of a pass from Courtney Nevin while beating off a defender to score.

"The finish epitomises her game. She does not give up on anything," Grace Gill said in commentary on Paramount+.

After what was just her second goal in the green and gold jersey, the only other scored in 2023, Grant admitted she was excited to find a win for the team.

"Scoring a goal for your country, you can't top that," Grant told Paramount+ post-match.

"I'm just really happy to get the win tonight. Panama put up a very good fight."

Earlier, the experience of Michelle Heyman helped steer the Matildas in the right direction as she found the net twice in 10 minutes to equalise then steal the lead.

The first came in the 55th minute when the veteran striker linked up with a Hayley Raso cross to tap the ball into the net from close range unmarked.

Raso looked to increase her goal assist tally minutes later but was unable to put the perfect pass through to a chasing Holly McNamara to finish off the job.

However, the missed opportunity was a short-lived moment of disappointment for Raso as she found Heyman once again to put the Matildas in front for the first time.

This time, the 30-year-old's floating cross was perfectly matched by a jumping Heyman, who headed the ball into the bottom corner.

"She makes it look so easy," Gill said.

"It feels like it is finally coming together for the Matildas."

With just under 10 minutes left on the clock, the Matildas were left down a player as Jessika Nash was forced to the ground for treatment after denying a goal.

In her absence, the Matildas nightmare became a reality as Panama substitute Lineth Cedon lashed the ball past goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln to score.

"Unstoppable. What a strike that was," Grace Gill said in commentary on Paramount+.